What to choose – vinyl siding or fiber cement siding. Sometimes choosing between the two can be tricky, but we’re here to give you an unbiased account of the pros and cons of both.
Cost: In general, vinyl siding costs less than fiber cement siding.
Return on investment: Home sellers get an average of 98% return on their investment with fiber cement siding and 92% return with vinyl siding.
R-Factor: Vinyl siding comes attached to insulation and adds an R-factor of 5 to your existing outer walls. Fiber cement siding (without insulation) add up to 0.15. Add the insulation to the fiber cement and your R-factor will increase by at least 3.
Looks: Both products can look like real wood, but subjectively, more people seem to prefer the look of fiber cement.
Homeowners Associations: Old vinyl siding has kind of a bad wrap so some HOAs do not allow it (they used to droop and sag). Biases against fiber cement siding are not common. You will need to check with your HOA before purchasing either type.
What’s Hot and What’s Not: Honestly, both products are doing really well in the market. Fiber cement siding does have an advantage in popularity though.
Paint: Fiber cement siding comes with a 15-year paint warranty.
Woodpeckers and other pests: If your home is being attacked by woodpeckers or insects like termites – either option will provide you protection from these invaders.
Basically both options provide you with a great product. Choosing will come down to your budget and your personal preferences.
